The 9 gifts of the Spirit listed in 1 Cor 12:1-11 are not the only spiritual gifts Paul talks about. Other lists are given in:
- Eph 4:11-12
- 1 Cor 14
- Mark 16:15-18
- 1 Cor 12:28-29
- Rom 12:6-8
These gifts are from the Holy Spirit (‘pneumatikon’) and all of grace (‘charismata’, hence the label ‘charismatic’ to describe those who believe these gifts are still functioning today.) Nine gifts are listed:
- Message of wisdom
- Message of knowledge
- Faith
- Gifts of healings
- Miraculous powers
- Prophecy
- Distinguishing between spirits
- Speaking in different kinds of tongues/ languages
- Interpretation of tongues
These are connected with the power of speech (tongues, interpretation and prophecy), the power to know (messages of wisdom, knowledge and the ability to distinguish or discern between spirits) and the power to do miraculous, supernatural things (faith, healings, ‘workings of power.’) All gifts are given ‘for the common good’ (1 Cor 12:7), not to make us feel superior: ‘Spiritual gifts are given to edify the whole church; they are not for individual enjoyment, but for corporate employment. Gifts should not be used to promote ourselves but to prosper the church. When we accept our gifts with humility, then we use them to promote harmony, and this helps the whole church.’ (Warren Wiersbe, ‘Be Wise’, P 137)
By their very nature, spiritual gifts are more than human knowledge, wisdom or power. There are numerous examples of these gifts in action in the Bible (see, for example, 1 Kings 17 and Acts 20:9-11 as examples of the dead being raised, healings in 2 Kings 5 and Acts 3, or words of knowledge in 2 Sam 12:7-13 or Acts 5).
We are called to be ambassadors for Christ, urging people to be reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:20). Ambassadors are to be clothed with God’s power and character (Luke 24:49, Col 3:12-14), carrying a message from the King (hence the emphasis on oral gifts such as tongues, interpretation and prophecy) and doing the same things that Jesus did on earth. Mark Tanner, in his book ‘The Introvert Charismatic’, says “Charismatics are those who take Jesus’ instructions on seeing the works of the kingdom seriously and get on and make space for them”, reminding us “We are all different, but we have a common call to do as Jesus did, and this goes beyond any of us.” (P79) The good news is that we’re not required to fulfil God’s commission in our own strength, but can receive His grace gifts to help us demonstrate the truth of the kingdom of God so that faith rests not on human wisdom but on God’s power. (1 Cor 2:5)